News

Government urged to fund doctor at Benalla College

18 August 2016

Thursday 18 August 2016

Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan has urged the Andrews Government to fund a doctor at Benalla College, after overlooking the community in the rollout of its suicide prevention pilot.

Ms Ryan said the school made an application last term for the Victorian Government’s doctors in schools program, under which 100 Victorian government schools are to be provided with regular access to a doctor.

“Benalla College already has a strong relationship with local GPs but the program would see a local doctor actually based from Benalla College for up to one day a week,” Ms Ryan said.

Ms Ryan said she was disappointed the Andrews Government overlooked Benalla for a suicide prevention pilot after promising to work with the community to improve mental health.

“It would be my hope that it would be a small step towards addressing the gaps that exists for young people in Benalla, particularly in the mental health space,” Ms Ryan said.

“Young people need better access to services and, frankly, the government’s decision to fund another phone line just doesn’t cut it.

“While it won’t address the shortage of psychologists or adolescent psychiatrists in north east Victoria, the program is an opportunity for the government to put its money where its mouth is and provide some real, ongoing support to young people in Benalla,” Ms Ryan said.